Radar, CMX will play ball

New venture jump-started by former film projects

Radar Pictures CEO Ted Field and sports entrepreneur A. Demetrius (Tony) Brown have entered into a partnership to develop and produce urban and Latin projects.

The new venture, Radar & CMX Entertainment, is being jump-started by 15 former Radar film projects, including “Waist Deep,” to be directed by Vondie Curtis Hall.

Brown and his brother Eric are well known in the sports entertainment field. The brothers founded CMX Sports & Entertainment, a management firm.

“The urban and Latin markets are important, burgeoning markets,” said Field, “and the relationship with Tony and Eric at CMX will strengthen our position as an independent, creative force in these genres.”

Besides bringing talent connections to the table, Field said, Brown is a savvy businessman with expertise in online and guerrilla marketing.

“Clearly, if we have anything that involves any sports-related themes he’ll be extremely helpful,” Field said, “from marketing urban movies in general to using his Internet presence to orchestrating big events. Also, there’s a lot of street marketing for urban movies that Tony will be very helpful with.”

Likewise, Brown is looking forward to entering the film biz.

“We are excited to be going into business with Ted Field, who is a proven player in film entertainment,” Brown said. “Forming this venture is the next logical step toward our goal to become a dominant player in sports and entertainment. It also provides an entree for our most promising clients into the motion picture industry.”

The union could expand into music, as well. Before Radar, Field co-founded Interscope Records and ran it with Jimmy Iovine for over a decade.

Last year Radar’s Platinum Dunes produced the remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” which was released by New Line and generated $80 million in domestic B.O. Company also produced “The Last Samurai,” which has made over $300 million overseas.

Upcoming projects include Vin Diesel starrer “The Chronicles of Riddick,” in post-production; and “Son of the Mask,” which is being produced with New Line and stars Jamie Kennedy.